Atalanta — the heroine punching above her weight 

With a smart strategy and patience, Atalanta are producing impressive financial and sporting results. A legendary Italian manager compares the club to Ajax Amsterdam for their ability to develop homegrown talent.

The youth sector strategy is very different to most other clubs: Players are given a lot of free-dom, and coaches tend to ask questions rather than giving orders.

Club-owner Antonio Percassi shows excellent leadership at Atalanta. The way he signs players for the club’s enormous squad is the work of a true businessman.

Atalanta, whose youth teams are bringing big titles home every year, are in the Champions League for the first time and ended number three in the 2018/19 season — above Inter, Milan, Roma and Lazio.